Nothing quite beats that sense of achievement when the hours of screwing, fitting, drilling and assembling finally pay off, and you’re left with a quality piece of furniture – made entirely by you.
After a whirlwind of over, a year stuck in lockdown, many of us have been turning to home improvements and taking up DIY. According to a recent survey, 39% of shoppers plan to make DIY purchases this year, inspired to spruce up their homes now that lockdown has been lifted.
If you’re toying with the idea of doing some DIY this summer, but aren’t sure where to start, here are some top tips on how to DIY safely at home.
Do Your Research
Whether you’re making an outside bar in the garden for summer parties, stripping wallpaper in the bedroom, or retiling the bathroom – make sure you know what you’re getting into before you begin. The key to successful DIY is doing your research. Gather all the information, tools and materials that you’re going to need and then decide what method to use.
Safety First
Once you’ve researched what you’re doing, you’ll probably want to plough right ahead and get on with it. Stop. Take a second to consider any safety precautions that you may need to take first.
This can be anything from wearing goggles to protect your eyes from debris when drilling, wearing a mask if there’s a danger of inhaling any materials or heat-proof gloves if you’re handling hot machinery.
There’s a reason why tradesmen who do this for a living are always covered in PPE. Stay safe. Stock up on any protective workwear that you may need beforehand.
Organise Your Tools
There’s nothing more inconvenient than having your hands full, halfway through a project, and realising that the tool you need is lying around somewhere in the garage.
A messy workbench only leads to messy results. Get organised. The easiest way to arrange your tools safely is by keeping them in a tool chest. Not only does this keep them in top condition, but it also keeps everything in one place whilst giving you peace of mind that your tools are securely stored away and out of reach from children.
Tidy Up
Though it may seem tedious to tidy up after a day’s work, especially if your project isn’t yet complete, tidying your work area is vital to keeping everyone in your home safe. Wipe down any surfaces, make sure excess materials are packed away or disposed of correctly, and ensure that you pick up any leftover nuts or bolts to avoid accidents. It’s certainly not the most exciting part of the job, but it’s one of the most important!
I do hope all these tips can be helpful for all families out there. What about you? Have you already started a DIY project in 2021? Or are you about to start one? Let me know in the comments what are your tips on doing some DIY and improvements at home without making a mess and in a quite safe way.
